Reuben Kaye sits down with Tin Nguyen to talk about his latest production, what drives him and where he’s come from (hint: it’s down under!).
VIVACIOUS and vivid are two words that come to mind when one thinks of the ever glamorous Reuben Kaye – not to mention he has just won Best Cabaret at Adelaide Fringe 2017 and nominated Best Cabaret in Perth.
Amid a lively and business laden bar, his defiant personality penetrates the noise as he talks of breaking away from the monotony of musical theatre.
GS: How did you end up where you are?
RK: I started cabaret recently and certainly what I originally came to London [from Australia] to do was become a serious actor in the musical theatre. I did that, and it was really constrictive creatively. What I love is bounce, bounce, bounce and that moment of connection but in musical theatre, except on rare occasions, that doesn’t exist. For me, the product I want to give the audience is honest, spontaneous and real. I want the audience to walk away saying “f**k that was great, that was inspiring, that was uplifting”. Said with lightness, after every show, I want to feel changed by the audience or the audience by me.
GS: How long have you been doing what you’re doing now?
RK: I did my first cabaret gig in 2012 in Oxford when I was doing panto. I was at the Oxford Playhouse playing ‘King Rat’ and it was then that I did my very first cabaret show.
GS: As a performer, what makes you unique and memorable?
RK: I do look at myself as a product, but for me, knowing what makes [me] unique and memorable, kills what I’m doing. That’s for the audience to decide, because if they can remember me through a hangover and a come down, then I’m doing my job right! My narrative of being gay bashed and abused [in Australia] to become a fragile and broken book, I don’t think it gives hope to a newer generation of queers who are growing up without this psychosexual trauma of the only narrative they’ve been exposed to is you’ll get beaten up and die of AIDS. I don’t think that’s a narrative that will help any young queen or older queen out there.
GS: So how do you intend to contribute and make a difference to the younger generation?
RK: Through the show, through the celebration of what I do, and the fact that I’m a queen with power. I represent that. There’s emotional vulnerability but it’s not about me being an assistant. I’m not here to do anyone’s hair or makeup. I want to look after our own community – our rates of suicide, drug addiction and teen homelessness are sky rocketing and that’s through a problem with the [inherited] narrative of the LGBT+ communities.
GS: What is a snapshot of the show that is showing at Soho Theatre?
RK: Imagine if you were priority boarding at Dean St Express! That’s a snapshot! Into the class lounge where you get a cocktail, you get a drink, you get a massage, they take your blood and everything’s fine – HEAVEN!
GS: What inspires you?
RK: Jayne County and the Electric Chairs, who were one of the first transgender rockers in the world. Tom of Finland – f**king amazing! Queer artists, queer writers who get out there and do it and own it and don’t apologise. Anyone who does that! It’s 2018, the period of ‘everyone living their truth’ but they’re not, they’re just doing a hash tag on a f**king trend.
GS: So what has inspired this show?
RK: The first Batman film with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson – the moment where Jack Nicholson has fallen into a vat of chemicals and he demands a mirror post-operation as he proceeds to historically laugh in joy. Through something super traumatic, he has so much joy and power, that was my real inspiration for this show. My inspiration point was how sh***y I felt in high school, how I felt like I don’t belong and how I still feel like I don’t belong. But no one belongs in the world, you have to make your own world.
GS: So the show started in Australia?
RK: This was created in London but premiered and developed in Australia. Started in Perth and Adelaide, then Edinburgh and it took off. We got sixth best reviewed show – it went really well!
GS: What is the hardest thing you come up against in the creation of a show?
RK: I’ve had audience members [in Australia] not get it, they’ve loved it but they come up to me and say “you know you’re actually pretty good, but you’re not really gay are you?” (laughs) The physicality of my shows also take a lot and doing the run of Edinburgh was a lot of effort. What this show does to my body is intense and the worst thing is I’m a fan of a party after! The emotional journey, the physical journey – that takes a toll on your body and learning to do what I do on stage and to push myself to a limit, you’ll see it’s a lot of sweat!
GS: So what have you got planned for the future?
RK: I have to go get tested… (laughs) I will keep making work, because I have no choice! I am doing a show at the Roundhouse over summer called ‘Club Swizzle’. I’ll take this show back to Melbourne, my home town which I’ve never played. I want to keep doing what I’m doing because I have an amazing time working with and for brilliant people.
Reuben Kaye plays at the Soho Theatre, London, till Saturday, June 16.
To book tickets online, click here:
He also will appear at Club Swizzle at the Roundhouse in London from July 31 – August 26.
To book tickets online, click here: